Extruded fastener



July 2, 1957 M. DORMAN ET AL 2,797,463

EXTRUDED FASTENER Filed March 12, 1953 INVENTORS LEONARD M. DORMANEff/VSGEO'RG'E MORNER Uni EXTRUDED FASTENER Application March 12, 1953,Serial No. 341,932

4 Claims. (Cl. 24201) This invention relates to fastening devices, andmore particularly to such devices of the so-called continuous orextruded type for use for closing openings in garments, wearing appareland other articles.

Various types of fastening devices, such as slide fasteners to which thepresent invention is related, have been heretofore suggested and used asa closure means. One such type of fastening device consists of a pair ofcontinuous strips of resilient or flexible material of rubber, or aplastic material such as one of the vinyls. These fastener strips areusually formed by extrusion and along the marginal edges of both of thestrips, there is provided longitudinally extending ribs or projectionsand channels with the ribs or projections on one strip corresponding toand engaging with the channels in the other strip. It is to this type offastening device that the present invention specifically relates.

While various attempts have been made to provide a satisfactory fastenerof such construction, such fasteners were not entirely satisfactory forvarious reasons. In the first place, the construction of theinterlocking means carried by the marginal portions of the strip wassuch that the two strips had a tendency to become disengaged when flexedlengthwise or when subjected to any reasonable lateral pulling force onthe sides of the strips thereby defeating the intended purpose of thefastener.

Also, in such fasteners, the free edge along the outer edges of themarginal portions of the strips were not confined and the strip could beeasily disengaged merely by forcing a sharp object such as a fingernailin under these free edges thereby easily disengaging the strips. Thus,it will be seen that if these free edges would become accidentallycaught on a sharp object when in use the fastener will beunintentionally opened which of course is a disadvantage andtroublesome.

Accordingly, it is the general object of the present invention toprovide an improved so-called continuous or extruded type fasteningdevice in which the above mentioned disadvantages have been eliminated.

It is another object of the invention to provide an improved continuousor extruded type fastening device in which the depth and height axes ofthe channels and projecting portions are substantially perpendicular tothe web portions of the strips with any lateral forces applied to theweb portions being directly opposed to one another substantially in acommon plane.

It is a further object of. this invention to provide an improvedcontinuous or extruded type fastening device in which the center line ofthe web portions pass substantially through the abutting interlockedprojecting portions substantially at their line of contact in thechannels when the strips are engaged thereby preventing accidentaldisengagement of the two strips by any pulling forces acting laterallyon the strips at opposite sides thereof.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide afastening device consisting of two interengaged strips which are ofidentical configuration and which can States Patent 2,797,463 PatentedJuly 2, 1957 be easily and inexpensively formed by extrusion from asuitable plastic material.

Various other objects and advantages of this invention will be moreapparent in the course of the following specification, and will beparticularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings, there is shown for the purpose ofillustration, an embodiment which our invention may assume in practice.

In these drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a fastening device constructed in accordancewith the present invention with a slider shown thereon in a partiallyclosed position and with the strips separated thereabove showing theprojecting rib and channel construction in one of the strips;

Fig. 2 is a side view of the fastener shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional View taken on line 33 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 4 is an enlarged perspective view, partly in section, of one of thestrips as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, there is shown in Figs. 1and 2, the improved fastening device of the present invention whichcomprises a pair of identical strips 2 and 3 having marginalinterlocking portions. There is arranged on these marginal interlockingportions, preferably a slider 6, for longitudinal movement therealongfor engaging and disengaging these marginal interlocking portions in awell known manner.

As more clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the strips 2 and 3 arepreferably formed by extrusion from a suitable plastic resinousmaterial, such as one of the vinyls, polyethylene and the like, whichhave some degree of elasticity. The strip 2 has a flat, relatively thinweb portion 7 and a marginal portion 8 which is substantially thickerthan the web portion. There is arranged along one side of the marginalportion 8, a pair of spaced-apart longitudinally extending solidn'b-like projecting portions 9 and 10, which are parallel to one anotherand extend continuously the full length of the strip. There is alsoprovided a pair of corresponding longitudinally extending channels 12and 13 with one channel 12 positioned between the pair of projectingrib-like portions 9 and 10 and with the other channel 13 beingpositioned on the inner side of the inner projecting portion 10. Alongthe outer free edge of the marginal portion 8 on the outer side of theouter projecting portion 9, there is arranged a longitudinally extendingsubstantially hookshaped lip-like portion 14 and along the inner side ofthe inner channel 13 of the marginal portion 8, there is arranged arelatively shallow groove or channel 15 so as to provide a shoulder 15a.

The strip 3 is identical with the strip 2 and has a web portion 16 and amarginal portion 17 which is provided with identical rib-like projectingportions 18 and 19, respectively, and channels 20 and 21, respectively,a substantially hook-shaped lip-like portion 30 arranged along the freeedge. and a relatively shallow groove or channel 31 arranged along theinner wall of the inner channel 20 so as to provide a shoulder 31a. Theprojections and channels of the respective strips are substantiallyidentical in cross-section so that the projections of one strip will fitinto and engage with the channels of the other strip when the marginaledges of the strip are interlocked and the fastener is closed.

Each of the projections 9, 1t), 18 and 19 are disposed substantiallyperpendicular to the planes of the web portions 7 and 16 and have neckportions 32 and an enlarged or bulbous-like head portion 33. That is tosay, the head portion of each rib-like projecting portions is enlargedand the neck portion is constricted to the adjacent cornplementarychannels in the strip alternating in side by side relation whereby thechannels have a restricted opening thereinto and an enlarged bottomportion.

It will be noted that each of the marginal portions 8 and 17 have arelatively thick inner edge portion arranged directly next to theirrespective web portions 7 and 16in which the respective relativelyshallow grooves or channels 15 and 31 are located. It will also be seenthat these marginal portions 8 and 17 have a relatively thin outer edgeportion which terminate in the respective liplike portions 14 and 30.

When the fastener strips 2 and 3 are engaged and interlocked with oneanother, as more cleanly shown in Fig. 3, it will be seen that theprojections 9 and 10 of the strip 2 will be disposed in thecorresponding channels 20 and 21 of the strip 3 and that the projections18 and 19 of the latter strip will be disposed in the correspondingchannels 12 and 13 of the strip 2 in interlocked relation. It will beunderstood that the dimensions of the projections and channels are suchthat when the interlocking portions of the strips are nested sufiicientclearance is provided to enable lengthwise flexing of the interlockedstrips without any danger of separation thereof. Also, it will be seenwhen the marginal edges are in engagement, the hookshaped portion 14 onthe free edge of the marginal portion 8 of the strip 2 lies over theshoulder 31a with the extreme enlarged free end portion disposed in thechannel 31 of the strip 3 and that the hook-shaped portion 30 on thefree edge of the strip 3 lies over the shoulder 15* with the enlargedextreme edge being disposed in the channel 15 of the strip 2. Thishook-shaped portion arranged on the free edge portions of the strip isone of the most important aspects of the present invention in that theextreme free-edges of the marginal portions of the strips are protectedand confined thereby preventing accidental lifting and displacement ofthe free edges of the strip. In addition, such hook-like lipconstruction provides an additional sealing action for the interlockedstrips when the engaged strips are subject to a fluid pressure, forexample. i

It will also be noted that when the strips 2 and 3 are interlocked, theweb portions 7 and 16 thereof are substantially in the same plane andthat the median plane of the web portions passes through each of theprojecting portions 10, 9, 18 and 19 immediately inwardly of theenlarged head or bulbous portions 33 thereof. That is to say, the centerline, as shown at A--A, of both of the web portions 7 and 16, of therespective strips 2 and 3, passes through the projecting rib-likeportions 10, 9, 18 and 19 immediately inwardly of all of the enlargedhead portions thereof. There is another important advantage of our construction in that all forces thus tending to open the fastener are indirectly opposed relation. That is to say, there is no component ofpulling forces tending to twist the marginal portions of the strips soas to cause them to become easily disengaged. It will be seen that whenthe strips are subject to lateral pulling forces in opposite directionsalong the plane of the web portions, the rib-like projections tend toengage more firmly, in that laterally applied forces in the planes ofthe web portions 7 and 16 acting in opposite directions pass through theprojecting portions 10, 9, 18 and 19 substantially at the point theinner sides of the heads thereof abut the inner side walls of theirrespective channels. This is shown clearly in Fig. 3 wherein the strip 2assumes a position substantially as shown by the broken lines relativeto the strip 3 when the strips are subjected to lateral pulling forces.

While there is shown a slider 6 for engaging and disengaging themarginal interlocking portions 8 and 17 of the respective strips 2 and3, it will be understood that the strips may be engaged merely byforcing the marginal portions together manually, such as by running thethumb and forefinger along the marginal edges and at the same timeforcing the marginal portions together into interlocked relation. Theslider shown is of the conventional type for operating this type offastener and consists generally of a pair of angularly arranged wingportions 35 and 36 joined together by an inclined inner guide wall 37 soas to provide a divergent channel for receiving the marginal portions ofthe strips. On the outer side of one of the wing portions, there isarranged a lug portion 38 to which a pull member 39 is pivotallyattached for manipulating the slider.

As a result of our invention, it will be seen that there is provided anew and improved type of fastening device which possesses manyadvantages over similar type fasteners heretofore suggested and used. Itwill be seen that while the strips are made of a relatively elasticmaterial, the interlocking means of the marginal portions are soconstructed and arranged that a firm and secure interlock between thestrips is obtained so as to prevent disengagement thereof when thestrips are subjected to normal and reasonable lateral forces tending todisengage them. It will also be seen that the confining of roundedliplike portions along the free edges of the marginal portions of thestrips tend to make for a smooth outer contour when the strips areinterlocked thereby presenting a neat appearance and tending to preventunintentional or accidental disengagement of the strips. Suchconstruction also provides additional interlocking means and a firmmeans for guiding the slider along the marginal portions insuring thatthe guide walls of the slider engage the strips so as to properlyinterlock them continuously therealong.

While we have shown and described an embodiment which our invention mayassume in practice, it will be understood that this embodiment is merelyfor the purpose of illustration and description, and that other formsmay be devised within the scope of our invention as defined in theappended claims.

What we claim as our invention is:

1. A fastening device of the class described comprising a pair ofopposed elongated strips of flexible material, each of said stripshaving a web portion and a thickened marginal portion, said marginalportions overlapping one another and being substantially identical incross-section, each of said marginal portions having at least a pair ofspaced-apart parallel longitudinally extending projecting rib-likeportions integral therewith and a pair of longitudinally extendingchannels arranged therealong having a cross-section corresponding inshape substantially to the cross-section of said projecting portions,one of said channels being positioned between the pair of saidprojecting rib-like portions and the other being positioned on the innerside of the inner of said projecting portions, the riblike projectingportions and channels being of such crosssectional form that saidprojecting portions may be forced into the respective channels insealing and locking engagement therewith due to the elasticity of thematerial thereof, each of said marginal portions having a relativelythick inner portion arranged directly next to the web portion thereofand a relatively thin outer edge portion, each of said marginal portionshaving a longitudinally extending groove arranged along the innerrelatively thick side thereof and a longitudinally extending lip-likeportion arranged along the relatively thin free edge thereof beyond theouter projecting portion, each of the longitudinally extending groovesarranged along the inner relatively thick side of the inner channel ofeach of the marginal portions having a depth less than that of thelongitudinally extending channels therein and each of the longitudinallyextending hook-shaped portions with which they co-operate having aheight less than that of the projecting riblike portions, the projectingportions of one strip adapted to be disposed in the correspondingchannels of the other strip when the marginal portions are in superposedposition and in interlocked relation with the lip-like portion on thefree edge of one strip disposed in the corresponding inner groove of theother strip whereby the free edges of the strips are confined andprotected against unintentional displacement and provide additionalsealing action for said marginal portions, the depth and height axes ofsaid channels and first mentioned projecting portions respectively beingsubstantially perpendicular to the plane of their respective webportions, the head portion of each of said first mentioned projectingportions being enlarged with the neck portions thereof beingconstricted, each of said channels having a restricted opening and anenlarged bottom portion, the web portions of said strips being disposedsubstantially in the same plane when the marginal portions areinterlocked with the center of said web portions being disposed in aplane passing through all the projecting rib-like portions immediatelyinwardly of the enlarged head portions thereof.

2. A fastening device of the class described comprising a pair ofopposed elongated strips of flexible material, each of said stripshaving a web portion and a thickened marginal portion, said marginalportions overlapping one another and being substantially identical incross-section, each of said marginal portions having at least a pair ofspaced-apart parallel longitudinally extending projecting rib-likeportions integral therewith and a pair of longitudinally extendingchannels arranged therealong having a cross-section corresponding inshape substantially to the cross-section of said projecting portions,one of said channels being positioned between the pair of saidprojecting rib'like portions and the other being positioned on the innerside of the inner of said projecting portions, the riblike projectingportions and channels being of such crosssectional form that saidprojecting portions may be forced into the respective channels insealing and locking engagement therewith due to the elasticity of thematerial thereof, each of said marginal portions having a relative- 1ythick inner portion arranged directly next to the web portion thereofand a relatively thin outer edge portion, each of said marginal portionshaving a longitudinally extending substantially hook-shaped portionarranged integral therewith along the outer relatively thin free edgethereof beyond the outer projecting portion and a longitudinallyextending groove arranged along the inner relatively thick side thereofat a spaced distance from the inner channel, each of the longitudinallyextending grooves arranged along the inner relatively thick side of theinner channel of each of the marginal portions having a depth less thanthat of the longitudinally extending channels therein and each of thelongitudinally extending hookshaped portions with which they co-operatehaving a height less than that of the projecting rib-like portions, theprojecting portions of one strip adapted to be disposed in thecorresponding channels of the other strip when the marginal portions arein superposed position and in interlocked relation with the hook-shapedportion on the free edge of one strip positioned in the correspondinginner groove of the other strip whereby the free ends of the strips areconfined and protected against unintentional displacement, the depth andheight axes of said channels and first mentioned projecting portionsrespectively being substantially perpendicular to the plane of theirrespective web portions, the head portion of each of said firstmentioned projecting portions being enlarged with the neck portionsthereof being constricted, each of said channels having a restrictedopening and an enlarged bottom portion, the web portions of said stripsbeing disposed substantially in the same plane when the marginalportions are interlocked with the center of said web portions beingdisposed in a plane passing through all the projecting rib-like portionsimmediately inwardly of the enlarged head portions thereof.

3. A fastening device of the class described comprising a pair ofopposed elongated strips of flexible material, each of said stripshaving a web portion and a thickened marginal portion, said marginalportions overlapping one another and being substantially identical incross-section, each of said marginal portions having at least a pair ofspaced-apart parallel longitudinally extending projecting rib-likeportions integral therewith and a pair of longitudinally extendingchannels arranged therealong having 'a cross-section corresponding inshape substantially to the cross-section of said projecting portions,one of said chan nels being positioned between the pair of saidprojecting rib-like portions and the other being positioned on the innerside of the inner of said projecting portions, the riblik'e projectingportions and channels being of such crosssectional form that saidprojecting portions may be forced into the respective channels insealing and locking engagement therewith due to the elasticity of thematerial thereof, each of said marginal portions having a relativelythick inner portionarranged directly next to the web portion thereof anda relatively thin outer edge portion, each of said marginal portionshaving a longitudinally extending substantially hook-shaped portionarranged integral therewith along the outer relatively thin free edgethereof beyond the outer projecting portion and a longitudinallyextending groove arranged along, the inner relatively thick side thereofat a spaced distance from the inner channel, both of said firstmentioned channels being substantially of the same depth and both ofsaid projecting rib-like portions being substantially of the sameheight, each of the longitudinally extending grooves arranged along theinner relatively thick side of the inner channel of each of the marginalportions having a depth less than that of the longitudinally extendingchannels therein and each of the longitudinally extending hook-shapedportions with which they co-operate having a height less than that ofthe projecting rib-like portions, the projecting portions of one stripadapted to be disposed'in the corresponding channels of the other stripwhen the marginal portions are in superposed position and in interlockedrelation with the hook-shaped portion on the free edge of one strippositioned in the corresponding inner groove of the other strip wherebythe free ends of the strips are confined and protected againstunintentional displacement, the depth and height axes of said channelsand said first mentioned projecting portions respectively beingsubstantially perpendicular to the plane of their respective webportions, the head portion of each of said first mentioned projectingportion being enlarged with the neck portions thereof being constricted,each of said channels having a restricted opening and an enlarge-dbottom portion, the web portions of said strips being disposedsubstantially in the same plane when the marginal portions areinterlocked with the center of said Web portions being disposed in aplane passing through all the projecting rib-like portions immediatelyinwardly of the enlarged head portions thereof.

4. A fastening device of the class described comprising a pair ofopposed elongated strips of flexible material, each of said stripshaving a web portion and a thickened marginal portion, said marginalportions overlapping one another and being substantially identical incross-section, each of said marginal portions having at least a pair ofspaced-apart parallel longitudinally extending projecting rib-likeportions integral therewith and a pair of longitudinally extendingchannels arranged therealong having a cross-section corresponding inshape substantially to the cross-section of said projecting portions,one of said channels being positioned between the pair of saidprojecting rib-like portions and the other being positioned on the innerside of the inner of said projecting portions, the riblike projectingportions and channels being of such crosssectional form that saidprojecting portions may be forced into the respective channels insealing and locking engagement therewith due to the elasticity of thematerial thereof, each of said marginal portions having a relativelythick inner portion arranged directly next to the web portion thereofand a relatively thin outer edge portion, each of said marginal portionshaving a longitudinally extending substantially hook-shaped portionarranged integral therewith along the outer relatively thin free edgethereof beyond the outer projecting portion and a longitudinallyextending shoulder arranged along the inner relatively thick sidethereof at a spaced distance from the inner channel, each of thelongitudinally extending grooves arranged along the inner relativelythick side of the inner channel of each of the marginal portions havinga depth less than that of the longitudinally extending channels thereinand each of the longitudinally extending hook-shaped portions with whichthey co-operate having a height less than that of the projectingrib-like portions, the projecting portions of one strip adapted to bedisposed in the corresponding channels of the other strip when themarginal portions are in superposed position and in interlocked relationwith the hook-shaped portion on the free edge of one strip disposed overand engaging the corresponding shoulder of the other strip, the depthand height axes of said channels and projecting portions respectivelybeing substantially perpendicular to the plane of their respective webportions, the head portion of each of said projecting portion beingenlarged with the neck portions thereof being constricted, each of saidchannels having a restricted opening and an enlarged bottom portion, the

web portions of said strips being disposed substantially in the sameplane when the marginal portions are interlocked withtthe center of saidweb portions being disposed in a plane passing through all theprojecting rib-like portions immediately inwardly of the enlarged headportions thereof.

References Cited in the file of this patent

